The activity of the Quantum Gases axis, within the two teams Bose-Einstein Condensates (BEC) and Magnetic Quantum Gases (GQM), is part of a worldwide effort to study the transport and magnetic properties of quantum degenerate Bose and Fermi gases. Because of the very clean, controlled and isolated environment in these systems, it is forecast that cold atom experiments can shed new light on quantum many-body physics, and provide quantum simulators of open questions related to the interplay between magnetism and transport inherited from condensed matter physics. In this context, the cold atom groups at LPL have developed four experimental setups with four different atomic species to provide an original point of view on various quantum physics issues. The Quantum Gases axis also develops a theory activity in close collaboration with the experimental projects.

Bose-Einstein Condensates (BEC)

Our group is expert in the manipulation of quantum gases in adiabatic traps, obtained by combining static and radio-frequency magnetic fields. Our current research concerns the superfluity of quantum gases confined in an annular potential.

The aim of this experiment is to produce a sodium BEC on a chip. Radio-frequency and microwave fields will be included on the chip to manipulate the degenerate gas and control its interaction properties and dimensionality.

Magnetic Quantum Gases (GQM)

A new state of matter shows up when a dilute sample of atoms is cooled below a critical ultralow temperature. Then occurs a phenomenon known as the Bose-Einstein Condensation; this phase transition comes along with the building up of a macroscopic material system whose properties are non-classical, ie are dictated by the laws of quantum theory. We perform experiments to study these quantum gases with a special focus on their magnetic properties.

We study quantum dipolar gases made of Chromium atoms. The originality of our experiments lie in the strong long-range and anisotropic dipole-dipole interactions between atoms. We study in particular how these interactions drive the magnetic properties of the ensemble of Chromium atoms, either in the BEC phase, or when they are localized in an optical lattice. Learn more here.

We are building a Strontium quantum gas machine. Our ambition is to reveal the exotic magnetic phases associated to spin-independent contact interactions. Our experiments will be performed after loading the fermionic isotope in optical lattices, and the spin structure will be measured using a tomographic probe with single-site resolution. Learn more here.